Donovan off U.S. World Cup team

Landon Donovan, an American soccer mainstay and goals record holder, won't be going to Brazil.

Landon Donovan, an American soccer mainstay and goals record...

STANFORD, Calif. — Landon Donovan, the most accomplished player in American soccer history, won't be going to his fourth World Cup.

The 32-year-old attacker, who set the national team record for goals and assists while winning five titles in Major League Soccer, was among seven players cut Thursday when coach Jurgen Klinsmann got down to the 23-man limit well before the June 2 deadline.

“I was looking forward to playing in Brazil and, as you can imagine, I am very disappointed with today's decision,” Donovan, the American record holder with 57 international goals, said in a statement posted on Facebook. “Regardless, I will be cheering on my friends and teammates this summer, and I remain committed to helping grow soccer in the U.S. in the years to come.”

Defenders Brad Evans, Clarence Goodson and Michael Parkhurst also were cut along with midfielders Joe Corona and Maurice Edu, and forward Terrence Boyd.

Pro Team Sports

Just six players return from the 2010 team: goalkeepers Tim Howard and Brad Guzan; midfielder Michael Bradley; forwards Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey; and defender DaMarcus Beasley, who is bidding to become the first American to play in his fourth World Cup.

When they arrived for Thursday's practice, players had no idea this would be cutdown day. Having already watched his team in scrimmages against Stanford last Saturday and the L.A. Galaxy II three days later, Klinsmann felt the impetus to make decisions.

“We discussed it every day, when is a good time and how we felt since we go into another scrimmage tomorrow morning,” he said, putting off discussing the Donovan decision until a Friday news conference. Asked whether he agonized over it, he said “a little bit of time.”

The U.S. Soccer Federation quoted Klinsmann: “This is certainly one of the toughest decisions in my coaching career.”